Maryann Feldman and Nichola Lowe

This chapter synthesizes our prior work that examines the role of governance in creating
place-specific advantages. We define governance as the interactive process of building consensus to
solve a collective problem. Thus, governance creates social norms and institutions that may
responsibly advance place-specific advantage. Through this process, conditions are created that
generate interest and expertise around a local industry, putting the “secrets” of the industry into
the air of public conversation.